In a tough economy and depressed employment environment, there are only a few career areas in a constant need for well-trained staff. The healthcare industry is always looking for help in many rewarding and well-paying jobs, and long term employment outlooks do not see this fact changing anytime in the near future.

One of the most highly desirable positions in health care is the medical coding and billing career. When a patient has a medical visit, procedure, test, or hospital stay, all treatments generate a code. This code is then used to bill insurance companies, which pay, reject, or request further information about the services. The coder-biller takes the information submitted by the medical provider, and finds the proper coding information before sending out a bill for services to the insurance company.

There are many reasons that the medical coding and billing career makes an excellent path. These are three of the top points in favor of considering coding and billing:

1.) Job Security – Very few industries all but assure constant need or long-term employment, but coding and billing for physicians, hospitals, and other medical practitioners is one of them. While the technology exists for automatic processing, it is usually necessary for there to be a human being involved in the process. To assure quality billing that will assure proper payment, and address rejections, appeals, and requests for more information, human eyes must be involved. The industry is currently reporting a 25-30% shortage in these positions, and this number will grow to 50% in the future.

2.) Work Location and Self-Employment – Medical coders and billers work under extremely flexible circumstances. Some work directly for a single hospital or other medical provider, and receive a salary and benefits from that organization. However, many enjoy the ability to work from home for a single employer, or operate their own business that deals with several clients.  Such a business has very low operating costs, as only a computer, specialized software, and a phone are needed to begin.

3.) Education Flexibility and Brevity – For such a lucrative and secure industry, the medical coding and billing career requires a surprisingly brief education and certification period. Depending on whether the student is interested in simple certification or an entire degree, courses can be completed anywhere from four months to four years. Some programs even offer online courses.

To find excellent programs in the Phoenix, AZ area, start here.